HOPKINS COUNTY, Ky. (6/3/14) — The Hopkins County Fiscal Court tabled the reading of an ordinance regarding the operation of pawn shops within the county during its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, June 3.

Hopkins County Judge-Executive Donald Carroll said due to questions regarding terminology in Ordinance 2014-03, the ordinance would be studied by the county safety committee for recommendations to the court at a later meeting.

In other business, Magistrate Larry Wilson gave a brief report of requests for the county's community development funds. Wilson said with $2,600 left in the fund from the 2013-2014 budget, the committee recommended the following requests be granted $1,914 for software for the Hopkins County Genealogical Society; and, $500 for The Brick, a program development by Hopkins County Deputy LyDon Logan out of the 2013-2014 budget.

For the 2014-2015 budget, Wilson said the committee recommended a $10,000 request from Glema Mahr Center for the Arts for youth programs; $500 for Tradewater River watershed watch; $25,000 for the Hopkins County Community Clinic; a $1,000 request for Women's Triangle Recovery House; Crimestoppers, $2,500; and, the Pennyrile RC&D $2,500 request for a children's fishing event. All were unanimously approved.

Hopkins County Attorney Todd P'Pool informed the court that his office had sent out approximately 1,200 letters to delinquent property taxpayers regarding solutions to pay taxes before delinquent taxes are offered for sale to collections companies.

“We've offered folks a payment plan as an option,” said P'Pool.

In approving the county's bill payments, Magistrate Shaun Roberts asked about the $5,000 payment to Associated Engineering for site design.

Community Development Coordinator Mike Duncan answered the question.

“It's the last thing to finish up with all the final dirt work out there at the sports complex; all the final drainage work,” said Duncan.

A 1.5 percent pay rate schedule for public works employees was approved, which reflects an across the board raise for county employees for the new fiscal year.

Hopkins County Emergency Management Director Frank Wright reported to the court that battery replacement for the county sirens is being completed.

Magistrate Charlie Beshears asked Wright if weather sirens are sounded for the specific areas to be alerted to severe weather or if sirens over the entire county went off simultaneously when an alert is issued.

Wright indicated that all the county sirens will be sounded when any area of Hopkins County is threatened by severe weather.

The court reappointed Roger Osburn to the Earlington Fire District for a three-year term ending June 30, 2017.